When he saw no hint of uncertainty, he kissed her. It was supposed to be a quick touch of his mouth to hers, just one taste, but her soft moan was nearly his undoing.
She deepened the kiss immediately, and he returned it with equal fervor. His hand was already on her breast when her gasp of pleasure had him freezing in place.
Every part of his body, every bone, every sinew, urged him to continue. But they were at a ball, and at any moment someone might stumble upon them.
He didn’t know where he found the strength, but he forced himself to release her soft breast and raised his head. They stayed like that for several seconds, staring at each other, their breaths coming fast.
Finally Lucy sighed and framed his face between her hands. “You need to put us both out of our misery. How much longer are you going to keep denying what we both want?”
Until you say you’ll be mine forever. But he wasn’t foolish enough to say the words aloud.
Chapter 13
It was Wednesday, which meant Parliament wasn’t in session. And as he’d done every Wednesday for the past month, he would be calling on Lucy to take her to Hyde Park. The open-air carriage was by far the safest way to spend time with her without giving in to the temptation to find a quiet corner and allow themselves to get carried away.
But since it was still too early in the day, he needed a distraction.
He was on top of the world when he entered White’s. His courtship of the beautiful—and surprisingly resourceful—baroness was going according to plan. And after the incident in the garden with the young man who’d tried to take liberties with her, it seemed she was no longer worried about showing a preference for his company.
She still accepted requests to dance with other men, but if someone asked to partner her for a waltz, she informed them she’d already promised that dance to another. Because all her waltzes were now his.
He glanced across the men gathered in the morning room, hoping at least one of his close acquaintances was there. He smiled when he saw Hargrove and his brother-in-law, Baron Cranston, seated next to the unlit fireplace on the far end of the room. Their heads were close together, and when he approached, he realized their voices were low murmurs. It was obvious they were taking care not to be overheard.
When he drew near, he cleared his throat to gain their attention. He was about to apologize and ask if they wanted him to return later but hesitated when he saw the way they glanced at each other before shifting to look at him. There was something in their expressions that told him they’d been talking about him.
Still, good manners had him asking, “I hope I’m not interrupting.”
Hargrove indicated an empty armchair. “Please join us.”
Holbrook examined the pair as he sat. Their serious expressions warned him something was amiss. “Why the long faces?”
Cranston blew out a breath. “We’re debating an important matter that concerns you.”
Holbrook raised a brow and waited for him to continue.
After a few seconds, Hargrove spoke. “It relates to the widowed baroness and, by extension, you.”
Holbrook waved off the footman who was approaching, his senses on high alert. “Lady Mansfield?”
Hargrove leaned back in his chair and folded his arms across his chest. “You’re the one who insisted we tell him immediately.”
Cranston frowned. “I think you should break the news.”
Holbrook was going to bash both their heads together if one of them didn’t tell him what was going on.
When Hargrove didn’t reply, Cranston leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees. “We’ve just learned that a bet has been placed.”
Cranston didn’t have to say anything else. Holbrook knew exactly what he was talking about. The infamous White’s betting book. Idle gentlemen with far too much time on their hands placed wagers on all manner of things.
Anger had him clenching his fists. “Someone placed a wager about Lucy?”
Cranston nodded. “They’re betting on who will be the first to claim her as their mistress.”
A haze of red descended over Holbrook’s vision.
Hargrove leaned forward. “If it’s any consolation, you’ve taken a commanding lead.”
Holbrook swore. “Give me the name of the person who dared to put her name in that damned book.”
